Overview
Ten days for the parts of Ladakh most visitors miss. After three days around Leh to adjust to the altitude, you cross Khardung La to Nubra and continue down the Shyok to Turtuk, a Balti village of apricot orchards close to the Line of Control that only opened to visitors in 2010. Then Pangong lake, and a long drive south through Chushul to Hanle, home of one of the world's highest astronomical observatories and India's first dark-sky reserve, for a night under some of the clearest skies anywhere. It's a private trip with a Leh-registered car and driver, hotels, camps and homestays with breakfast and dinner, and permits arranged. Access to Hanle and Turtuk depends on permits and, on the day, army clearance; we plan an alternative in case.
Best for: Travellers who want Ladakh's remote corners, and anyone who loves night skies
- Three days around Leh to acclimatise properly
- Turtuk, a Balti village of apricot orchards near the Line of Control
- Diskit monastery and the Hunder dunes in Nubra
- A night at Pangong lake
- Stargazing at Hanle, in India's first dark-sky reserve
- Homestays in Turtuk and Hanle for village life
Day by day
- Day1
Arrive in Leh and rest
Airport transferOvernight: Leh
Your driver meets you at Leh airport and takes you to your hotel. Spend the day resting and drinking water; this trip goes higher than most, so the first days matter.
- Day2
Leh monasteries
Local sightseeing, about 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
Shanti Stupa and the old Leh Palace above town, then up the Indus valley to the palace at Shey, the hilltop monastery at Thiksey and Hemis, Ladakh's largest. Gentle walking only, and back in Leh by late afternoon to rest.
- Day3
The Sham valley
Local sightseeing, about 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
The Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill and the Indus–Zanskar confluence. A third night in Leh sets you up well for the high passes ahead.
- Day4
Leh to Nubra over Khardung La
About 5–6 hoursOvernight: Hunder (Nubra valley)
Over Khardung La and down to Nubra. Diskit monastery and its giant Buddha, then the Hunder dunes. Overnight at a camp in Hunder.
- Day5
Turtuk day trip
About 4–5 hours round trip, plus time in the villageOvernight: Hunder (Nubra valley)
Down the Shyok valley to Turtuk, a Balti village of stone houses, apricot orchards and streams, with its own language and culture, close to the Line of Control. Walk through the village, visit the small royal museum if it's open, and return to Hunder in the evening. Foreign nationals' access beyond Hunder can vary; we'll confirm on the day.
- Day6
Nubra back to Leh
About 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
Back over Khardung La to Leh. An easy evening in town, and a night at a lower altitude before Pangong and Hanle.
- Day7
Leh to Pangong over Chang La
About 5–6 hoursOvernight: Pangong lake (Spangmik area)
Over Chang La to Pangong lake. Afternoon by the water, and a cold night in a camp near the shore.
- Day8
Pangong to Hanle via Chushul
A long day, about 7–9 hoursOvernight: Hanle
South along the lake to Chushul, then through remote high country towards the Indus at Loma and on to Hanle. Army checkposts may ask for permits along the way. In Hanle, the observatory sits on a hill above the village; after dark, if the sky is clear, the stars and Milky Way are extraordinary. Overnight in a homestay.
- Day9
Hanle to Leh
A long day, about 7–8 hoursOvernight: Leh
Morning in Hanle and a visit to the monastery, then the long drive back along the Indus to Leh. A final evening in town.
- Day10
Fly out from Leh
Airport transfer
Transfer to Leh airport for your flight home. Flights from Leh usually leave in the morning, so we'll set the pickup time the evening before.
Turtuk: the village near the line
Turtuk lies at the far end of the Nubra valley, where the Shyok river flows towards Baltistan. It was part of Pakistan until 1971 and only opened to visitors in 2010. Its people are Balti, speaking their own language, and the village is a green pocket of apricot and walnut trees, stone houses and irrigation channels between bare mountains. It's a short drive from Hunder but a world away from the rest of Ladakh.
Stargazing at Hanle
Hanle sits on a high, dry plateau far from any city lights. The Indian Astronomical Observatory stands on a hill above the village, and the area was declared India's first dark-sky reserve. On a clear, moonless night, the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon. Bring your warmest layers: nights are cold even in summer. Some homestays can arrange telescope sessions with local guides; ask us when you book.
Ladakh with Turtuk and Hanle price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹56,000 ≈ US$660 | ₹1,12,000 | Innova |
| 4 | ₹40,500 ≈ US$475 | ₹1,62,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹38,500 ≈ US$455 | ₹2,31,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹41,000
- Leh-registered taxis in Ladakh₹53,580
- Permits (2 Indian nationals)₹1,180
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹14,187
- Total for both₹1,09,947
Included
- Hotels in Leh and camps or homestays elsewhere, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Leh-registered Innova (or Tempo Traveller for 6) for all sightseeing and transfers in Ladakh
- Airport pickup and drop in Leh
- Permits: environment fee and wildlife fee (Indian nationals) or Protected Area Permit (foreign nationals)
- Driver allowances, fuel, tolls and parking for the vehicle
Not included
- ×Flights to and from Leh (Delhi–Leh is about ₹7,000–18,000 one way, depending on season)
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Monastery, palace and museum entry fees
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
- ×Oxygen cylinders, medical costs or extra nights caused by road closures or illness
Permits, altitude and safety
- Leh is at about 3,500 m. Ladakh's tourism department advises at least 48 hours of rest on arrival before any sightseeing; every plan here starts with a full rest day.
- Indian nationals pay the Ladakh environment fee and a daily wildlife fee for Nubra, Pangong and similar areas, arranged online or in Leh. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered Leh agent and usually requiring at least two foreign travellers in the group.
- Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first days, and tell your driver at once about a severe headache, breathlessness at rest or confusion. Descending is the treatment. Talk to a doctor before travelling if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Ladakh is generally safe for visitors. The main risks are altitude, cold and road closures from weather, not crime. Carry warm layers, cash (ATMs are limited outside Leh) and offline maps.
- Hanle and the road from Pangong via Chushul sit in a sensitive border area. Access, especially for foreign nationals, depends on permits and on the army's clearance at checkposts on the day. If the route is closed, we'll return to Leh via Chang La and add Tso Moriri or extra days around Leh instead.
When to go
Leh: Best: Jun–Sep; Snow: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • June to September: the best window for Turtuk, Pangong and Hanle, with roads open and stays operating.
- • New-moon weeks give the darkest skies at Hanle; tell us if you'd like to time your trip for them.
- • Outside the season, Hanle homestays may close and roads can be snowbound.
Frequently asked questions
How much does this 10-day Ladakh package cost?+
From about ₹37,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, and about ₹55,000 per person for a couple. See the price table for comfort hotels and foreign-national prices.
Can foreigners visit Turtuk and Hanle?+
Usually yes, with a Protected Area Permit, but access can change with the security situation. We plan an alternative day in case a checkpost turns you back.
What's special about Hanle?+
It's home to one of the world's highest astronomical observatories and India's first dark-sky reserve, so the night sky is exceptionally clear.
Is Turtuk worth the extra day?+
For most travellers, yes: its Balti culture, apricot orchards and setting are unlike anywhere else in Ladakh.
Are the Hanle and Turtuk stays comfortable?+
They're simple homestays with shared or basic bathrooms in places. The comfort tier picks the best available, but expect village standards.
Is this trip harder on the body than the 7-day package?+
It goes higher and has longer drives, so we start with three nights in Leh. Talk to a doctor first if you have heart or lung conditions.
Are flights included?+
No. Delhi–Leh flights are about ₹7,000–18,000 one way, depending on the season.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Taxis in Ladakh: the rules for outside taxis
- Altitude sickness in Spiti and Ladakh
- Manali to Leh taxi
- Ladakh Essentials: 7 days
Price and route sources: Discover with Dheeraj: Leh Ladakh taxi union rates · Go360: Leh Ladakh taxi union rates 2026 · Holidify: 3-star hotels in Ladakh · Discover with Dheeraj: Pangong camping 2026 · Discover with Dheeraj: Protected Area Permit for foreigners · Discover with Dheeraj: Turtuk travel guide · Ladakh Tourism: travel advisory · Air India: Delhi to Leh flights
